Grande Prairie Storm

Ice hockey team in Alberta, Canada

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Grande Prairie Storm

City| Grande Prairie, Alberta
League| AJHL
Division| North
Founded| 1966[1]
Home arena| Bonnetts Energy Centre
Colours| Yellow, Navy blue, and White

General manager| Mark Bomersback
Head coach| Chris Schmidt
Website| grandeprairiestorm.ca
Franchise history
1966–1972| Grande Prairie Jr. Athletics
1972–1989| Grande Prairie North Stars
1991–1995| Grande Prairie Chiefs
1995–present| Grande Prairie Storm

The Grande Prairie Storm is a junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) based in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, with home games at Bonnetts Energy Centre.

## History

[edit]

The organization was founded in 1966 as the Junior Athletics[1] as a member of the Peace Junior B Hockey League (PJHL). The team rebranded around 1972 as the Grande Prairie North Stars.[2] When the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings joined the league in 1975, the league became the Peace-Cariboo Junior Hockey League (PCJHL). In 1980, the league and teams were promoted to Junior A. The North Stars were financially struggling and sat out two seasons from 1989 to 1991. They came back as the Grande Prairie Chiefs in 1991, but the league had brought in teams from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and reformed as the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL).

In 1995, with the Chiefs continuing to have financial difficulties, a community-led group bought the team with the goal of paying off its $150,000 in debts and restoring junior A hockey to prominence in the Peace Country. The team rebranded as the Grande Prairie Storm and moved to a brand new arena, the Canada Games Arena, built for the 1995 Canada Winter Games.

In 1996, the Storm moved from the RMJHL to the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The Storm qualified for the AJHL post season in each of its first 18 consecutive seasons before missing in 2014. In 2004, the Storm won their first AJHL championship. They also hosted the 2004 Royal Bank Cup national junior A championship tournament that season, where they lost in the semifinals.

The Storm have been a major success off the ice as well as the franchise perennially leads the AJHL in attendance, and often leads the entire Canadian Junior A Hockey League in attendance.[3][4] The Storm broke the previous attendance record for the Royal Bank Cup by over 9000 fans in 2004.

## Season-by-season record

[edit]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T/OTL = Ties/Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season  | GP | W | L | T/OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish  | Playoffs

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1975–76 | 39 | 28 | 11 | 0 | — | 56 | 217 | 159 | 1st, PC Jr. B | Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
1976–77 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 0 | — | 34 | 179 | 216 | 4th, PC Jr. B |
1977–78 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 0 | — | 42 | 203 | 164 | 3rd, PC Jr. B |
1978–79 | 35 | 13 | 21 | 1 | — | 27 | 231 | 254 | 5th, PC Jr. B |
1979–80 | 48 | 27 | 21 | 0 | — | 54 | 296 | 239 | 5th, PC Jr. B | Lost Semifinals vs. Fort St. John Golden Hawks
1980–81 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 0 | — | 34 | 180 | 207 | 5th, PCJHL | Did not qualify
1981–82 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 0 | — | 78 | 367 | 234 | 2nd, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–0 vs. Dawson Creek Kodiaks
Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
1982–83 | Did not participate
1983–84 | 50 | 22 | 27 | 1 | — | 45 | 278 | 273 | 3rd, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs
1984–85 | 48 | 20 | 27 | 1 | — | 41 | 248 | 274 | 4th, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Fort St. John Huskies
1985–86 | 50 | 26 | 24 | 0 | — | 52 | 281 | 288 | 4th, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
1986–87 | 48 | 28 | 20 | 0 | — | 56 | 284 | 247 | 3rd, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–3 vs. Fort St. John Huskies
Lost Finals, 2–4 vs. Quesnel Millionaires
1987–88 | 50 | 38 | 12 | 0 | — | 76 | 346 | 189 | 1st, PCJHL  | Won Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs
Won League Finals, 4–3 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
PCJHL Championship
Lost Mowat Cup, 0–2 vs. Vernon Lakers (BCJHL)
1988–89 | 52 | 40 | 12 | 0 | — | 80 | 333 | 180 | 1st, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs
1989–1991 | Did not participate
1991–92 | 52 | 13 | 37 | 2 | — | 28 | 211 | 355 | 5th, Peace-Cariboo | Did not qualify
1992–93 | 52 | 22 | 30 | 0 | — | 44 | 260 | 339 | 3rd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
1993–94 | 52 | 34 | 17 | 1 | — | 69 | 270 | 223 | 3rd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 3–4 vs. Fort St. John Huskies
1994–95 | 52 | 24 | 25 | 3 | — | 51 | 253 | 272 | 2nd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs
1995–96 | 58 | 40 | 18 | 0 | — | 80 | 317 | 228 | 1st, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Quesnel Millionaires
1996–97 | 60 | 28 | 27 | — | 5 | 88 | 236 | 227 | 5th, AJHL | Won Quarterfinals, 4–2 vs. Bow Valley Eagles
Lost Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Calgary Canucks
1997–98 | 60 | 42 | 15 | — | 3 | 87 | 277 | 205 | 2nd, AJHL | Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 vs. Bow Valley Eagles
Lost Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort Saskatchewan Traders
1998–99 | 62 | 33 | 22 | — | 7 | 73 | 238 | 203 | 4th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs
Lost Quarterfinals, 1–4 vs. St. Albert Saints
1999–00 | 64 | 36 | 26 | — | 2 | 74 | 218 | 203 | 4th, North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–3 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs
2000–01 | 64 | 39 | 22 | 3 | — | 81 | 279 | 244 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. St. Albert Saints
Lost Div. Finals, 1–4 vs. Camrose Kodiaks
2001–02 | 64 | 34 | 21 | 9 | — | 77 | 233 | 214 | 5th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. St. Albert Saints
Won Div. Finals, 4–3 vs. Canmore Eagles
Lost Championship, 0–4 vs. Drayton Valley Thunder
2002–03 | 64 | 40 | 23 | 1 | — | 81 | 267 | 193 | 4th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 4–2 vs. Drayton Valley Thunder
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. St. Albert Saints
2003–04 | 60 | 40 | 14 | 6 | — | 86 | 241 | 139 | 1st, North | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Lloydminster Blazers
Won Div. Finals, 4–2 vs. Olds Grizzlys
Won League Finals, 4–1 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
AJHL Championship
Lost Doyle Cup, 1–4 vs. Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
2004–05 | 64 | 38 | 21 | 5 | — | 81 | 216 | 160 | 5th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2005–06 | 60 | 38 | 18 | 4 | — | 80 | 211 | 148 | 4th, North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs
2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 15 | 4 | — | 86 | 247 | 176 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders
Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Spruce Grove Saints
Lost Div. Finals, 2–4 vs. Camrose Kodiaks
2007–08 | 62 | 38 | 18 | 6 | — | 82 | 207 | 161 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. St. Albert Steel
Lost Div. Semifinals, 3–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints
2008–09 | 62 | 42 | 15 | 5 | — | 89 | 228 | 134 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats
Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders
Won Div. Finals, 4–1 vs. Brooks Bandits
Won League Finals, 4–0 vs. Spruce Grove Saints
AJHL Championship
Lost Doyle Cup, 0–4 vs. Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
2009–10 | 60 | 40 | 17 | 4 | — | 83 | 233 | 174 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2010–11 | 60 | 34 | 22 | 4 | — | 72 | 188 | 157 | 4th North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats
2011–12 | 60 | 21 | 35 | 4 | — | 46 | 169 | 221 | 7th North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2012–13 | 60 | 35 | 21 | 4 | — | 74 | 185 | 156 | 2nd North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders
2013–14 | 60 | 21 | 36 | 3 | — | 45 | 155 | 220 | 8th North | Did not qualify
2014–15 | 60 | 15 | 41 | 4 | — | 34 | 119 | 245 | 8th North | Did not qualify
2015–16 | 60 | 11 | 45 | 4 | — | 26 | 138 | 302 | 8th North | Did not qualify
2016–17 | 60 | 15 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 37 | 146 | 153 | 7th of 8, North
14th of 16, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–3 vs. Whitecourt Wolverines
2017–18 | 60 | 28 | 29 | — | 3 | 59 | 212 | 225 | 4th of 8, North
8th of 16, AJHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints
2018–19 | 60 | 30 | 26 | 4 | — | 64 | 208 | 215 | 5th of 8, North
11th of 16, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2019–20 | 58 | 18 | 33 | 7 | — | 43 | 139 | 198 | 7th of 8, North
12th of 15, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints
2020–21 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | — | 19 | 52 | 57 | Season cancelled due to covid-19 pandemic
2021–22 | 60 | 22 | 30 | 8 | — | 52 | 183 | 237 | 8th of 8, North
12th of 16, AJHL | Did Not Qualify for Post Season
2022–23 | 60 | 19 | 33 | 5 | 3 | 46 | 153 | 224 | 7th of 8, North
14th of 16, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–4 Wolverines
2023–24 | 57 | 24 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 55 | 173 | 191 | 6th of 11, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–4 Canucks
2024–25 | 54 | 30 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 67 | 209 | 157 | 2nd of 6 Nor Div
6th of 12, AJHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4-0 Bobcats
Won Div. Finals, 4-0 Wolverines
Lost League finals 0-4 Canucks
Canucks National Host-Storm advance

### Junior A National Championship

[edit]

The National Junior A Championship, known as the Centennial Cup and formerly as the Royal Bank Cup or RBC Cup, is the postseason tournament for the Canadian national championship for Junior A hockey teams that are members of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The tournament consists of the regional Junior A champions and a previously selected host team. Since 1990, the national championship has used a five-team tournament format when the regional qualifiers were designated as the ANAVET Cup (Western), Doyle Cup (Pacific), Dudley Hewitt Cup (Central), and Fred Page Cup (Eastern). From 2013 to 2017, the qualifiers were the Dudley Hewitt Cup (Central), Fred Page Cup (Eastern), and the Western Canada Cup champions and runners-up.

The tournament begins with round-robin play between the five teams followed by the top four teams playing a semifinal game, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and the second facing the third. The winners of the semifinals then face each othe>br>r in final game for the national championship. In some years, the losers of the semifinal games face each other for a third place game.

Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Third place game | Championship game

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2004
Host | W, 5–3 vs. Kindersley Klippers (Western)
W, 4–2 vs. Aurora Tigers (Central)
W, 7–2 vs. Nepean Raiders (Eastern)
L, 2–7 vs. Nanaimo Clippers (Pacific) | 3–1 | 1st of 5 | L, 3–4 vs. Kindersley Klippers | Not played | —

## Revised format 2022

[edit]

Canadian Jr. A National Championships
Maritime Junior Hockey League, Quebec Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Superior International Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, and Host. The BCHL declared itself an independent league and there is no BC representative.
Round-robin play in two 5-team pools with top three in pool advancing to determine a Champion.

Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Championship

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2025 | L, Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL), 2-6
W, Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL), 3-1
??, tbd (OJHL), 0-0
??, tbd (ManJHL), 0-0 | 1-0-1-0 | ??? of 5
Group A | pending | pending | did not qualified

## League awards

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### Player awards

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* 2018 AJHL Rookie of the Year — Zachary Okabe

### Team awards

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* 2004 AJHL Champions
* 2009 AJHL Champions

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Logan Thompson
* Tanner Fritz
* Carter Rowney
* Grant Stevenson
* Nick Weiss

## See also

[edit]

* List of ice hockey teams in Alberta

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Team History". Grande Prairie Storm. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
2. ^ "Grande Prairie North Stars Statistics and History [PJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
3. ^ "AJHL 2017-18 team attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
4. ^ "AJHL 2023-24 team attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2024-06-13.

## External links

[edit]

* Grande Prairie Storm website
* Alberta Junior Hockey League website

* v
* t
* e

Alberta Junior Hockey League

North Division|

* Bonnyville Pontiacs
* Devon Xtreme
* Fort McMurray Oil Barons
* Grande Prairie Storm
* Lloydminster Bobcats
* Whitecourt Wolverines

South Division|

* Calgary Canucks
* Camrose Kodiaks
* Canmore Eagles
* Drayton Valley Thunder
* Drumheller Dragons
* Olds Grizzlys

Seasons|

* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

CJHL
Doyle Cup
Centennial Cup

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Alberta

Baseball|

WCBL
Brooks Bombers
Energy City Cactus Rats
Fort McMurray Giants
Lethbridge Bulls
Medicine Hat Mavericks
Okotoks Dawgs
Sylvan Lake Gulls
WCL
Edmonton Riverhawks

Basketball|

CEBL
Edmonton Stingers
Calgary Surge

Football|

CFL
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Elks
CJFL
Calgary Colts
Edmonton Huskies
Edmonton Wildcats
CMFL
(7 teams)
WWCFL
Calgary Rage
Edmonton Storm
Lethbridge Steel

Hockey|

NHL
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
AHL
Calgary Wranglers
WHL
Calgary Hitmen
Edmonton Oil Kings
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Medicine Hat Tigers
Red Deer Rebels
AJHL
Bonnyville Pontiacs
Calgary Canucks
Camrose Kodiaks
Canmore Eagles
Devon Xtreme
Drayton Valley Thunder
Drumheller Dragons
Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Grande Prairie Storm
Lloydminster Bobcats
Olds Grizzlys
Whitecourt Wolverines
BCHL
Blackfalds Bulldogs
Brooks Bandits
Okotoks Oilers
Sherwood Park Crusaders
Spruce Grove Saints

Lacrosse|

NLL
Calgary Roughnecks
RMLL
(19 teams)

Ringette|

NRL
Calgary RATH
Edmonton WAM!
Edmonton Black Gold Rush

Roller derby|

WFTDA
Calgary Roller Derby
E-Ville Roller Derby
Oil City Derby Girls

Rugby union|

CRC
Prairie Wolf Pack
RCNJC
Alberta
NWL
Alberta
Alberta U20

Soccer|

CPL
Cavalry FC
NSL
Calgary Wild FC
League1
BTB Soccer Club
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Calgary Foothills (men's) (women's)
Cavalry FC U21
Edmonton Scottish
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AMSL
(10 teams)
UWS
Calgary Foothills WFC
SASA Impact FC

U Sports|

CWUAA
MacEwan University Griffins
University of Alberta Golden Bears (men's)
University of Alberta Pandas (women's)
University of Calgary Dinos
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns
*[GP]: Games Played
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T/OTL]: Ties/Overtime Losses
*[SOL]: Shootout Losses
*[Pts]: Points
*[GF]: Goals For
*[GA]: Goals Against
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template